Letters must include the writer's
name, telephone number, and postal address or e-mail address (we
will not publish address or phone number information).
Lincoln Daily News reserves the right to edit letters to
reduce their size or to correct obvious errors.
Lincoln Daily News reserves the right to reject any letter for
any reason. Lincoln Daily Newswill publish as
many acceptable letters as space allows.

Didn't anyone question the need for
over 100 percent increase per month? Some of us have three phones.
We cannot afford this kind of increase. It never goes down but
continues to go up. The 911 charge here in Florida is 55 cents per
month. Maybe someone isn't good at staying within a budget. Numbers
don't tell us much about how the money could be spent more frugally.
Thanks.

From Mike Patridge, chairman of the Logan County Emergency
Telephone System Board

Dear
Ms. Behrens:

Reference your comments concerning
the 911 referendum. Yes, there were questions concerning the
amount of $1.10 per month increase, mostly by the members of the
ETSB. We struggled through many meetings trying to keep the
request to a minimum and yet provide the necessary funds for the
911 system. Basically, the funds will be used for the following:
1. Our share of employee salaries for the dispatchers;
2. Dispatcher training; 3. Replacement costs for existing computer
hardware, software and radio equipment; 4. Create a reserve
account for future equipment upgrades.

Regarding your point that you have
three phones. The 911 surcharge is applied only to the bill for
each telephone number. If you have three phones in your residence
and they are all extensions of the same telephone number, then you
will have only one 911 surcharge on your bill. Also, the 911
surcharge for Logan County is applied to land line telephones
only. Cell phone charges for 911 services are regulated by state
of Illinois.

In regard to the Florida charge of 55
cents per month, 911 revenue is based upon the number of telephone
lines. Bigger population generally would equal increased revenue
for the 911 system. Yes, our budget does reflect where the money
is being spent, and it also indicates the need for the referendum
request.

I want to thank you for taking the
time to ask these very worthwhile questions. Everyone in Logan
County should become familiar with the facts so they can make an
informed decision. We invite you and anyone else that requires
further information to attend any of the several
public meetings that are being held in February to discuss
these and other issues. If you have any further questions, please
call the 911 business office at (217) 732-3911.

Thank you,

Michael R. Patridge

Chairman

Logan County ETSB

(posted Jan. 31, 2004)

Life Sentence, No Parole

If we tried to invent the
cruelest punishment for dogs, we probably couldn't come up with
anything worse than "solitary confinement" on a chain or in a
kennel.

Dogs are pack animals who crave
the companionship of others. Scratches behind the ears, games
of fetch, or even just walks around the block mean the world to
them. Curling up at your feet while you watch TV is their idea
of heaven.

Many dogs left to fend for
themselves at the end of a chain fall prey to attacks by other
animals or cruel people, and many others are injured or hanged or
choke as a result of getting entangled or caught in their tether.

If you have a backyard dog,
please, bring him or her inside. They don't want much--just
you.